Classified Benefits & Wellness Newsletter – November 1, 2016 Issue #2

Check Your Paystub!Active employees and retirees still receiving a paycheck will see the new insurance rates that took effect October 1, 2016, reflected on their 10/31/2016 paystub. Retirees who have arranged for payment from a bank account will see the change in rates in the November 5, 2016 ACH payment.

Under the Pre-Tax Deductions section of your wage statement, you should see your monthly insurance premium as well as any money you deposit into a Flexible Spending Account or Tax Sheltered Annuity. If you purchased optional life insurance, you’ll see the premiums for that coverage in the After-Tax Deductions. Please take a few minutes to verify that your deductions and plan elections are correct.

2016-17 Sick Leave Bank Donation ReminderClassified employees who elected to join the 2016-17 Classified Sick Leave Bank (SLB) during the May 2016 enrollment period will see the donations reflected as a sick leave deduction in the sick leave section on your October 31, 2016 paystub.

Medical Deductible CarryoverIf you did not meet your deductible during the 2015-16 plan year, any expenses applied during the last 3 months (July, August, September) will be carried over and applied to the deductible for the following plan year.

“Double-Match” 403(b) Retirement Savings Incentive ProgramDon’t miss out! If you commit a small portion of your income into a retirement savings account, the district will not just match it; they will double-match it!

The District will pay an amount equal to 1.25% of your monthly salary into a Tax-Sheltered 403(b)Savings account, if you commit to one-half (.625%) of that amount.

How do I get started?

–Open an account with a vendor. For administration purposes, the percentage “employee contribution with double district match” is limited to a choice of three (3) vendors.

-Complete a District 4J Salary Reduction Agreement. Make a copy for your records, and deliver the original to the Payroll department at the Education Center.

All 3 eligible vendors will be on hand, ready to answer your questions. Drop-inand take this opportunity to learn how to “jump start” your retirement saving with a Tax Sheltered Annuity

Unable to attend the 403(b) TSA Vendor Fair?

Contact the vendors directly for information about your investment options. Since there are fees charged by all 3 of the vendors, it is important to ask them to disclose all fees before you make a commitment.

Flexible Spending Roll OverIf you had a 2015-16 Flexible Spending Account and did not use all of your FSA money set aside for unreimbursed eligible health-related expenses, up to $500 of that unused money rolled over into the new 2016-17 plan year.

Because you have until December 31, 2016, to submit receipts for expenses incurred during the October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016 plan year, the funds have not yet been released to cover expenses incurred on or after October 1, 2016. PacificSource Administrators (PSA) allows a run out period of 90 days to submit claims for the recently concluded plan year. The carryover of remaining funds will happen automatically after December 31, 2016.

Need your roll over amount sooner than January 1, 2017? PacificSource will grant requests of funds to roll early; however, once the funds roll the member can no longer submit claims for the 2015/16 plan year. Please be advised that any early roll requests take 7-10 days to complete. For assistance contact PacificSource at 541-485-7488.

If you had a Dependent Care FSA for the October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016 plan year, you have until December 31, 2016 to submit receipts, but any unused money left in that account at the end of the plan year is forfeited, as per IRS regulations.

Quest Diagnostics
No Cost for Covered Lab Services

As an OEBB member, you can save time and money when you request your lab test through Quest Diagnostics. Your provider will receive results quickly. Best of all, you won’t have a copay for covered lab services. For employees and retirees enrolled in OEBB coverage through 4J, the deductible is waived, too.

When you need lab services, there are two ways to take advantage of this cost-savings benefit:

Have your specimen collected at a Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center. To find a convenient location and make an appointment, visit QuestDiagnostics.com/patient, or call 888-277-8772.

Ask your doctor to use Quest Diagnostics. Have your doctor send your sample to Quest Diagnostics — or have Quest Diagnostics pick up the sample via their extensive logistics network.

If you are in the Eugene area, the local Quest Diagnostics lab is located at 1144 Gateway Loop, Suite 115 in Springfield. To learn more about these lab services, please call Quest Diagnostics at 866-MY-QUEST (697-8378).

Classified Professional Education Program (PEP) Fund InformationThe purpose of the fund is to provide opportunities in professional development and is intended to help classified employees improve professional knowledge, competence, skills, and effectiveness relevant to their current district position*.

The program allows for reimbursement for job-related training activities, tuition reimbursement, registration or material costs, and conferences and workshops. Normal program rulesallow one request per fiscal (school) year, up to $300 for workshops, classes, books or other expenses related to professional development. Requests are processed on a first-come, first served basis until funds run out. PEP fund requests can be found on the HR website: http://www.4j.lane.edu/hr/forms/

Send completed forms to:

PEP Fund, Ed Center Attn.: Diana McElhinney

*PEP funds are limited for staff development options that are initiated by employees. District mandated trainings are not eligible for reimbursement. Employees must obtain principal/supervisor permission to attend all PEP fund eligible professional development. Your building is responsible for coverage and if a substitute is needed please use the Building Professional Development/Activity code in AESOP.

EAP ~ Balance Your LifeCall the Employee Assistance Program– The EAP provides services to help employees privately resolve problems that may interfere with work, family, and other important areas of life.

EAP services include counseling, work-life balance, and wellness resources. As an OEBB member, there is no cost to you or your family members for using EAP services. It’s fast, easy, and confidential to access EAP services. When you call the EAP, you just need to provide 4J District as your employer and basic contact information. During a crisis, you can call to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day.

Call the EAP at 1-866-750-1327 or go on line www.myrbh.com – use access code: OEBB.

Wellness Clinic Closure DatesThe 4J Wellness Clinic will be closed the following dates:

Thanksgiving – November 24 & 25, 2016

Winter Break: – December 26 – December 30, 2016

Note: If you need a prescription refilled over winter break, please plan ahead.

“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.”
– Elizabeth Lawrence

********************************************************This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by the District 4J and OSEA representatives of the Classified Joint Benefits Committee (JBC).The information in this newsletter is summarized, and is not intended as advice or counsel.